Saturday, June 30, 2012

Kizhukaanam – The Hamlet in Harmony

It was
Sajeevan, a native of Kattappana in Idukki, who proposed Kizhukaanam to us,
while we were desperately searching for yet another less crowded destination. A
brief description from him, who used to drive a service bus to this destination
earlier, was sufficient to incline us with out a second thought. As usual two
families – Sunils & mine – set out in my Verito, in the heavily raining
morning of 30th April 2012.

Apart from regular travelers, we had a
new member for this exploration – Nandu – who had just turned six months, on
his debut adventure. Reached Peerumedu Govt. Guest house by noon, and settled
there, deciding to continue with the expedition, next morning. Chose
Parunthumpara to spent the evening, but mist stole the show.

Next morning, drove
along Kuttikkaanam - Kattappana road, picked Sajeevan near Kattappana, returned
through the same track, took a right deviation at Parappu and another steep
climb of about 8 kms, through Upputhara, to reach up to the small junction of
Valakode. The track to Kizhukaanam, there after, may not favor a car and thus
we got introduced to Babu of Kizhukanam, who is a jeep driver there. After a
tasty lunch from ‘Hotel Akshay’ , the small eatery of the junction, boarded
the jeep and headed for Kizhukanam

.

The tiny town of 'Valakodu'

The
hamlet of Kizhukaanam is surrounded by the woods of Idukki Wild life sanctuary and
water storage of Idukki reservoir. The connection to the outer world is through
private bus services, from Kattappana, though not that frequent. The earlier inhabitants
of the place belong to Oorali and Ulladan tribes, who were relocated while the Idukki
dam was constructed. Later, migrants from other parts joined them and now the
population is a mixture. Livelihood being agriculture, inhabitants are not that
happy on the visit of wild folk – mainly elephants and boars – to their farms.
Still, all these years of co existence had taught them how to be in harmony and
thus casualties from conflicts are seldom reported.

The track to
Kizhukanam, after the initial stretch, is just a mud road, which proved right,
our decision to opt the jeep. Buses from
Kattappana ply four times a day, which is the normal mode of connectivity
between Kizhukaanam and the outer world.

A left deviation, from the main track connecting
Valakode and Kizhukaanam, and a steep climb, that only a 4WD can do, for about
two kms , through Kollathikaavu, ended at ‘Chokkan’. Though strangely named,
the beauty of elevated grass lands, which gently flows down to the dead end of
the water storage of the reservoir, may not let one return that soon.

Left the
kids wandering with Sajeevan, and chose a flat rock, to settle down and capture
the scenery. Geographically Chockan is southern end of the peninsula, formed in
the midst of the reservoir. Babu knew that we may not return, if not reminded
and he offered a drive through the inhabited sector.

Thus we went past Kizhukanam junction, which
hosts a ration shop and a small store, and drove up to the tribal school at
Kannampadi.

The building, beautifully tucked in the valley of towering grass
hillocks, would never deter a blooming mind and I would have loved learning, in
such premises.

Continued the drive, along the border lines, separating the
hamlet and the woods and I called a break at the grazing fields.

The grazing
fields of Kizhukaanam, being at the fag end of the reservoir, mesmerize with
its thick green cover and kids may hesitate to return, if you let them free. And
elders may not be exceptions.

And after all
these, it may not be fair if there isn’t a clean water source for a wash up, or
even for a dip. And Kizhukaanam offers that too – Kallattupaara falls.

Rightly
located, just about 100 metres, from the return track, the beauty may go
unnoticed, as thick foliage hides it away, from an unaware visitor. After the
plunge, the gentle flow crosses the track, and joins the green fields – a view,
no camera shall miss.

The last bus to Kizhukanam, then passed through the
woods, and it was time to return, for we had to reach Cheruthoni, before it’s
too dark.

A bus waiting shelter by the way side wore an adorable look and thought of having it here for you

Had tea at
‘Akshay’, along with a strange snack by name ‘Vadi’, and boarded our vehicle,
for the onward journey.

Being the debut
adventure, our young travel mate, Nandu, may not recall these events while he
grows up. But I’m sure that he would admire his parents – Sunil & Renchi – for
filling his cute little eyes with such amazing wonders of nature, before the
filth of our world reflect on it.

And it wasn't that far. Though light was fading, the ‘kill’ by the wayside, didn't go missed, veiling all the good feelings, so far accrued.

Thanks for another good report Shinu Chetta. It must be difficult to find a new DLC each time as you have probably set foot on every part of your green land. I agree with your opinion on the deforestation that you saw on your way back home. I saw similar bare patches of "ex-forest" near Koviloor in April. I wonder if the trees become furniture to be sold at the shops in Kothamangalam? I will try to find the Vadi snack next time I'm hungry in Kerala.And a big hello to Nandu! And also congratulations to his mum and dad.CheersChris

Very interesting....I came to this blog site as directed by Mr. Raj. Since I fly paragliders, this place seems promising indeed. Myself with some friends will certainly visit these places with flying gear in the near future....

Hi Shinu Nice post you have here http://sshinu.blogspot.in/2011/01/more-on-anakulam-expedition.html. I would like to have this Unni's number if you have.Planning a trek at Mankulam, and this guy seems to know all the places there and sincere.ThanksBen

Hi Shinu nicely put together the narrative . I m a Landscape Architecture Student at CEPT Ahmedabad was at Valakod recently and stayed at the forest watch tower that comes under the Kizkkanam Range...I would like some pictures of these regions during the monsoon seasons..I visited there in January In case you could share my email Id is eldo_alias@hotmail.com .Iam currently working on an academic project centred around the cheruthoni town and the Reservoir would be glad if I can communicate with you and discuss certain things.Hope you watch this page ! ;)